To help avoid a sump pump failure, the homeowner must plan ahead.
First, the homeowner should understand what causes sump pumps to
fail. Then, based on individual circumstances, the homeowner can
decide what type of system would work best for their home.
How To Avoid Sump Pump Failures
There are several different ways a sump pump can fail:
1. Incorrectly sized pump
2. Improper installation
3. Product defect
4. Age of pump
5. Lack of maintenance
6. Lightning surge damage
7. Electrical power outage
Unfortunately, there are no studies indicating which causes of sump
pump failure are the most common. It is likely that sump pumps
getting too old and power outages are the most common reasons the
sump pump fails to operate when needed. Here are some things that
can be done to reduce the chances.
Incorrectly sized pump -- Selecting the right size pump is
very important. Bigger is not necessarily better. If a pump is too
large, the pump will cycle on and off more than it needs to, which
can result in a shorter pump life. If the pump is too small, it may
not be able to pump the water out or it will run too long and too
hot, shortening the pump's life.
The installer of the drain system should size the pump based on the
calculated amount of water needed to be pumped (called capacity and
indicated in gallons per minute) and the height and length the water
needs to be pumped (head). Ask the installer for their calculations
and a copy of the pump capacity chart.
If the installer cannot produce these calculations, this indicates a
problem. Ask the installer to put you in touch with technical
support at the pump manufacturer. The pump manufacturer should be
able to check the size of the pump over the phone by asking the
homeowner a few questions. Most manufacturers are very willing to
help.
Improper installation -- Many times the installer does not
follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. Ask the
installer for the owner's manual and installation instructions. Read
them completely. Here are some common mistakes to look for:Most
manufacturers recommend or require a check valve be installed on the
discharge line. If not installed, the backflow of water can cause
the pump impeller to rotate backwards and unscrew off the motor
shaft. If this happens, the pump motor will run but will not pump
any water.
- Most manufacturers require the drilling of a small air relief
hole in the discharge line between the pump and the check valve.
This is intended to prevent the pump from having to overcome the
air pressure in the discharge pipe.
- Check to make sure the discharge pipe is of the required
diameter. The proper size is usually indicated in the owner's
manual.
- Install the pump on a dedicated electrical circuit. A
dedicated circuit means the pump outlet is the only thing on that
electrical branch circuit. Many pump motors require between 10 and
15 amps of power when starting. This is near the capacity of many
electrical circuits.
- Check to make sure the electrical outlet is grounded
(3-prongs). This can be checked with a circuit tester, which is
available from any hardware or home improvement store.
- Make sure an extension cord has not been used to power the
pump.
- Check the pump's electrical cord to make sure it does not
interfere with the operation of the pump.
- The sump pit should have a solid bottom surface. A dirt or
gravel bottom can increase the chance that rocks and debris will
enter the pump that are too large for it to handle. This may cause
the impeller to get stuck.
- Clean all dirt and debris out of sump pit before installing
the pump.
- Make sure the check valve is not installed backwards. Usually
there is an arrow on the valve pointing in the direction of water
flow.
Product Defect -- Product defects are probably rare. While
some product defects may not exhibit a problem when the pump is new,
it is still wise to test the pump when it is installed to make sure
the pump operates properly.
Age of Pump -- It is impossible to predict how long a sump
pump will last. In questioning manufacturers, pumps can last
anywhere from three to 20 years. One manufacturer states that a life
expectancy of 10 to 15 years is reasonable. The U.S. Department of
Housing and Development estimates the life expectancy of sump pumps
at 10 years. The pump's life expectancy will vary due to how much
the pump has run in its lifetime.
Write down the pump installation date on something on or near the
pump so it is easier to keep tabs on the age of the pump. As the
pump approaches the anticipated life expectancy, consider replacing
it.
During the life of the pump, some service may be necessary. Certain
parts like the impeller, o-rings and switch wear out. The average
switch life on an automatic pump is four to seven years according to
one manufacturer. Consider having the pump serviced every few years.
Maintenance of Pump -- Some pump manufacturers recommend the
pump be run every two to three months. Some recommend a yearly
program completed just before the rainy season hits. Follow the pump
manufacturer's recommendations. These will include:
Fill the sump pit with water to make sure the pump operates. If
there is a back-up pump, unplug the primary pump and run the back-up
pump to make sure it works properly. Don't forget to plug the
primary pump back in after completing the test.
When testing your sump pump, go outside to make sure it is
discharging water. In some cases, the pump can run but not pump any
water. This can because the impeller has disengaged from the pump
shaft or the check valve is installed backwards.
- Check the operation of the float to make sure it is not
restricted.
- Clean out the air hole in the discharge line.
- Listen for any unusual noises when the motor is running.
- Replace the battery on the back-up sump pump every two or
three years.
Lightning or Power Surge Damage -- Some components of the
sump pump may be vulnerable to damage from power surges. To help
prevent this, protect the entire electrical system from power surges
with a service entrance (whole house) surge protection device. To
learn more about protecting from power surges, read the surge
protection article.
Electrical Power Outage -- It is not uncommon to have the
electrical power go out during violent thunderstorms. This is not
good when a home is prone to water in the basement during
rainstorms. Back-up pumps that do not need house power are the answer to overcome power outages.
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